- What are the steps to selling a home on SharpHome.com?
Selling real estate isn't complicated. Generally speaking there are five steps in the process:
- Price your property
- Create your listing on SharpHome.com, which will serve as your website highlighting your property.
- Reference your listing on SharpHome.com on your yard sign.
- Connect with a buyer.
- Transfer the title, which is always handled by either a title company or an attorney at the closing.
- Is it necessary for me to hire an attorney in order to sell my own home?
No, in most areas of the United States a title company can and will completely handle a real estate transaction. However, in some parts of the United States many people hire a real estate attorney in addition to a title company. Of course, it is always up to you to decide whether to retain an attorney to represent you in the sale.
- Why should I use SharpHome.com to help me sell my home?
You should use SharpHome.com for the following reasons:
- It's easy.
SharpHome.com was built to be easy to use and simple to understand. You don't need to be an expert with computers or the Internet to take advantage of all that SharpHome.com has to offer.
- It's affordable.
SharpHome.com is less expensive than ANY of its competitors. SharpHome.com is committed to providing its customers with an affordable alternative to traditional options.
- It's effective.
SharpHome.com listings are available to millions of buyers to help sell your property quickly.
- It can save you thousands of dollars.
Our packages provide you options where you pay either no commission or low commission when it comes to selling your property. On average, these programs can save our sellers thousands of dollars.
- How do I find property that is listed for sale on SharpHome.com?
- You can search for property on the homepage of SharpHome.com at www.SharpHome.com. You can perform a more specific search for properties by clicking on Search Homes on the top of any page.
- If you know the property ID of the property you're looking for you can enter it on the Search Homes page and immediately view the property.
- How can I contact SharpHome.com?
- You can contact SharpHome.com with questions or comments, 24 hours a day, seven days a week by sending email to info@sharphome.com.
- You also can call, toll free, 1-877-448-6370, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am and 5pm eastern time.
- I received a fraudulent or Spam e-mail through my listing. What do I do?
- First, don't respond to the email.
- Second, forward the email to SharpHome.com customer service at info@sharphome.com.
- Help! I am having trouble logging in.
- Check to be sure that you're using the correct username and password. Your username is your email address.
- If you've forgotten your password please use our password recovery functionality. You can find it by clicking here: Password Recovery.
- If that doesn't work please forward your name and Property ID number to info@sharphome.com and request a new username and password.
- Can I get notifications of new homes for sale?
- Yes, you can sign up to receive email updates of new properties that have been added to SharpHome.com that fit your search criteria.
- Click here to receive email alerts: Email Alerts.
- How much does it cost to advertise on your web site?
- A SharpHome.com listing is offered free of charge with the purchase of a Hy-Ko text messaging sign. The listing will expire at the end of 12 months from listing date.
- SharpHome.com also offers 3 other package choices. Our first offer is a two week trial. If you choose this package and do not cancel your service before the end of 14 days, you will be automatically enrolled in our Premium package. Our Premium package costs $59 for six months and there is no additional billing or rebilling. Our second package costs $159 and keeps your property on SharpHome.com and Realtor.com for six months. Our third package costs $259 and keeps your property on Sharphome.com and your local MLS for six months. There is never any other rebilling or extra billing from SharpHome.com.
- Will I be able to sell my own home with help from SharpHome.com?
- Yes, chances are that if you use SharpHome.com in conjunction with one of our yard signs, price your home correctly and give the process time to work you will succeed.
- By combining our yard signs with our web presence we will market your property to thousands of potential buyers.
- How do I place an ad on SharpHome.com?
- Simply click “Sell Your Home” at the top of any page on our website: www.SharpHome.com.
- You will be shown a chart that explains our packages and their prices.
- Click select and you will be walk through the process of creating an advertisement for your property.
- The process is easy and usually takes no more than ten minutes.
- How many people will see my ad?
- It is impossible for us to know how many people will click on your ad because it depends upon so many variables—price, location, type of property, et cetera.
- However the SharpHome.com process markets your home to a very wide population of potential buyers. To this end we add your listing to Google, Oodle, and other websites. This makes your property available to thousands of potential buyers. Only SharpHome.com offers distribution on this scale.
- Also, our site is designed to work in conjunction with our yard signs, which are an important way to market your property to passersby.
- To find a store that sells our yard signs, click here: Retail Locator.
- What types of properties can be sold on SharpHome.com?
You can sell any type of property on SharpHome.com. Generally speaking we specialize in selling residential properties, but we have no prohibition against listing commercial properties or raw land.
- Can I pay for my listing with a check or money order? Can I pay in installments?
No, we only accept credit cards for payment at this time.
- What is the Multiple Listing Service (MLS)?
- The MLS or Multiple Listing Service is a closed database of properties for sale that can only be edited and viewed by licensed real estate agents.
- Even now the vast majority of homes sold in the U.S. are listed on the MLS. The MLS is how real estate agents alert other agents that a property is for sale, and it is the primary way that agents find a property to show to prospective buyers.
- Traditionally when a seller engages an agent to sell property, the agent hired would have the seller sign an agreement to pay 6% (or more!) in commission when the property sold. The agent hired (or listing agent) would then add the property to the MLS alerting other agents in the area that the property was for sale. Typically the listing agent also alerted other agents in the area that he/she would split the 6% commission with them should they bring a buyer and consummate a transaction.
- Traditionally a seller would pay 6% with 3% going to the listing agent and 3% going to the buyer's agent. At SharpHome.com our listing agents work for a flat, upfront fee rather than a commission, thereby allowing us to provide our sellers with marketing power of the MLS at half the cost. (The entire commission SharpHome.com sellers might pay in commission by utilizing our MLS package goes directly to the buyer's agent.)
- Finally there is typically one MLS per county in the United States. All are different and have slightly different rules.
- What are the steps to be listed on the MLS? How long does it take?
- After selecting a package that includes an MLS listing you will be contacted by a licensed real estate agent, usually within two business days. The agent will send you a listing agreement that must be filled out prior to your home being listed in your local MLS. Once you have filled out the agreement, signed it and faxed it back your home will be advertised for sale in the appropriate MLS.
- After completing your paperwork, your property will appear in your local MLS, usually within one business day.
- You can include one photo of your property in your MLS advertisement. The agent will select that photo from your SharpHome.com listing or you can email a photo to the agent.
- Your property also will appear on Realtor.com, usually within 72 hours of being posted on your local MLS.
- Why would a real estate agent want to list my home if they're not going to receive a commission?
The real estate agent adding your home to the MLS is being compensated by SharpHome.com.
- Are there any extra fees to list on the MLS in my area?
Typically no. However, in a handful of counties in the United States there can be additional required fees that can range from $10 to $50 per property.
- How much of a commission do I have to offer?
It is typical to offer a commission of 3%, but you can offer less. Keep in mind that the lower the commission the lower the likelihood that agents will bring an interested buyer to view your property.
- Will anyone want to show my home if I'm only paying 3% commission?
Yes, because agents bringing buyers to view homes listed in the MLS traditionally are paid 3% in the event of a sale. The financial incentive for buyer agents to show your property is the same as it is to show any other property in the MLS.
- Who will show my property?
You will be responsible to be home and show your property to interested buyers and real estate agents.
- How do home sellers benefit from a SharpHome.com MLS listing?
- Home sellers benefit from a SharpHome.com MLS package because they enlist the marketing power of both SharpHome.com AND their local real estate agent community.
- If a property sells through SharpHome.com the seller pays no commission. If the seller accepts a buyer from a local agent then he/she pays a 3% commission, as opposed to paying an agent a full 6% commission in a traditional agent relationship.
- With the SharpHome.com MLS service the most a seller can expect to pay is half of a normal commission. Sellers using this arrangement may save thousands of dollars.
- Will my contact information be shown on the MLS and Realtor.com?
- Yes, your contact information will be shown on MLS. Agents who see your house in the MLS and are interested will contact you directly.
- On Realtor.com your SharpHome.com listing agent's contact information will be shown. The agent will relay any interested parties from Realtor.com to you.
- Realtor.com and the MLS are closely related, but are not the same. Each has different rules regarding listing contact information.
- How many photos can I post on the MLS?
You can post at least one photo on the MLS. In some cases you can pay extra to have additional photos added to your MLS listing.
- How long will my listing remain on the MLS?
Your property will remain viewable in your local MLS for six months or until your property sells, whichever happens first.
- If I select a package that does not include MLS or other features can I upgrade later or do I have to pay for a full package?
- Yes, you can upgrade your package at any time. Simply login in to your admin and click “Upgrade.”
- You will be charged for the difference in price only. It is not necessary for you to pay for the entire cost of the MLS package.
- Will my property be added to other MLS affiliated websites?
Most likely, yes. However, neither SharpHome.com nor our listing agents control any third party websites and therefore can't guarantee which sites affiliated with the MLS your property will be added to aside from Realtor.com.
- How many forms will I have to fill out?
- Typically you will have to fill out only one form entitled “Listing Agreement.”
- In some cases you may be asked to fill out a short, additional form stating that you have paid the listing agent a flat fee in lieu of a commission.
- Can I make changes to my MLS listing?
Yes, you typically can make up to two changes to your MLS advertisement at no cost. Any and all changes must be communicated directly by you to the listing agent assigned to you by SharpHome.com.
- Can I purchase your products in a retail store?
- Yes, SharpHome.com yard signs can be found in most retail outlets providing home improvement goods and services. Those stores include Walmart, Home Depot and Ace.
- To locate a store in your area click here.
- How do I cancel my listing?
- You can cancel your ad on SharpHome.com at any time.
- Simply login to your Seller Admin using your username and password.
- Click on Cancel my Listing.
- How do I edit my ad? How often can I edit my ad?
- You can edit your property listing on SharpHome.com at any time and you can make an unlimited number of edits at no charge.
- Simply login to your Seller Admin using your username and password.
- Click on Edit my Listing.
- How do I find out how many times my ad has been viewed?
- You can view the number of times your property has been viewed by prospective buyers at any time.
- Simply login to your Seller Admin using your username and password.
- Then click on or view Buyer Views.
- How do I reply to an e-mail from a potential buyer?
Email from potential buyers will be delivered directly to your inbox. You can reply directly to interested parties.
- Can you help me upload my photos?
Yes, email info@sharphome.com and a member of our customer service team will assist you.
- What is the best photo to use for my Main Photo?
SharpHome.com recommends that sellers use a clear, exterior image of their property on a sunny day as their primary photo.
- I replaced a photo on my ad with a new photo but I can still see the old one, why?
Often times it is necessary for sellers to hit the refresh button on their browser in order to see their new photo appear.
- When and how do I post photos of my property?
- After a property listing is successfully input into the SharpHome.com database the seller will receive instructions on how to upload photos of the property.
- The photo upload process is quick and easy, but it is necessary to have digital images of the property.
- Photos can be added and deleted or altered whenever the seller chooses over the lifetime of the property advertisement.
- To add, delete or edit photos simply login in to the Seller Admin and click on Edit Photos.
- How can I protect myself from fraudulent offers and scams?
- Be alert and watch for spam. Spam is unwanted or unsolicited emails advertising goods or services for sale. If you're concerned about any communication you've received from a buyer or seller on SharpHome.com please forward the communication to SharpHome.com at info@sharphome.com or you can call toll free 1-877-448-6370, Monday through Friday between the hours of 9am and 5pm eastern standard time.
- Filter Tips: 10 Scams to Screen from Your Email (from OnGuardOnline.gov):
- The “Nigerian” Email Scam
- Phishing
- Work-at-Home Scams
- Weight Loss Claims
- Foreign Lotteries
- Cure-All Products
- Check Overpayment Scams
- Pay-in-Advance Credit Offers
- Debt Relief
- Investment Schemes
- Click on the following link to read more about how you can protect yourself on the Internet: www.onguardonline.gov
- If I give you my email address, will you send Spam or sell it?
Click here to view SharpHome.com's Privacy Policy.
- What does “Agents Protected” mean?
Agents Protected means that the property seller, whether an agent or an owner, has expressed a willingness to pay an agent a commission should that agent bring a buyer and help consummate a transaction.
- Why does SharpHome.com need my credit card for the 14 Day Free Trial Package?
- We ask for your credit card for the following reasons:
- to ensure that we're getting quality listings and accurate data; and
- to ensure we're paid if your listing runs for longer than 14 days.
- Your card will not be charged at all until after fourteen days have passed, and we will send you a reminder email before your free trial package expires.
- What's the difference between Realtor.com and the MLS?
Realtor.com is the public version of the MLS. In other words it’s the way that the home buying public can view the listings that would otherwise only viewable to agents on the MLS. The only way for a home to appear on Realtor.com is for it first to be listed in the MLS.
- Why would I want to be on Realtor.com?
Realtor.com is the largest real estate website in the world, and more buyers view listings on it than any other. Also, if you sell your home to a buyer who found your home on Realtor.com you will owe no commission. So, it’s a great solution for sellers wanting to effect a 0% commission sale.
- How can I be on Realtor.com and pay 0% commission?
Sellers using Realtor.com WITHOUT the MLS don’t typically pay a commission because SharpHome.com’s listing agent puts the property on Realtor.com and our listing agents charge 0% commission, and because the person who contacts you after having seen your property on Realtor.com will almost always be a buyer without an agent.
- What does getting on Realtor.com entail?
After you create and pay for your listing on SharpHome.com you will be assigned a listing agent. That agent will provide you with paperwork necessary for your local market. Once you fill that paperwork and return it to said listing agent your home will be placed on to Realtor.com within 4 business days.
- Can I cancel my Realtor.com package at any time?
Yes, you can cancel your Realtor.com listing at any time. Simply send an email to your listing agent requesting cancellation.
- How many photos can I add to Realtor.com?
With our Realtor.com package you can upload up to 25 photos to Realtor.com because our package provides you with a Realtor.com Showcase Listing.
- Why do I have to interact with an agent in order to get on Realtor.com?
Only licensed real estate agents can place listings into the Multiple Listing Service and Realtor.com, which is why it’s necessary for you to interact with an agent to complete your Realtor.com listing.